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===2009–2011: Second and third premierships===
[[File:Joel Selwood in 2009.jpg|thumb|left|Selwood prepares to kick the football during a 2009 finals game.|alt=Young male athlete stands in a white and navy blue and striped sleeveless shirt and white shorts. He stands alone and looks to the right while preparing the kick the football.]]
Before the [[2009 AFL season]], Selwood was appointed to the club's seven-man leadership group at just 20&nbsp;years of age.<ref>Gullan, S, [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/changing-of-the-guard-at-catland/story-e6frf7jo-1111118556090 "Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood and James Bartel step up"], ''The Herald Sun'', 19 January 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140607061842/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/changing-of-the-guard-at-catland/story-e6frf7jo-1111118556090 Archived] from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2009.</ref> After the [[2008 AFL Grand Final]] loss ended Geelong's previous season, Selwood and his teammates began their 2009 campaign by capturing the pre-season [[NAB Cup]] for the second time in four years.<ref name = "nabcup">Cullen, M, [https://web.archive.org/web/20121022132838/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/73077/default.aspx "Cats belt Pies in NAB Cup GF"], Australian Football League & Bigpond, 14 March 2009. Archived from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20090314065759/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/73077/default.aspx original] on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2009.</ref> Selwood's 33&nbsp;disposals, 11&nbsp;clearances, and 2&nbsp;goals earned him the [[Michael Tuck Medal]] as the player adjudged best afield in this [[2009 NAB Cup|final]].<ref name = "nabcup"/> In roundRound five5, Selwood made his 50th senior appearance, setting a new VFL/AFL record for the highest percentage of wins inside-with 50&nbsp;games. His involvement in 46&nbsp;victories set a winning percentage of 92 percent.<ref name = "fifty">[http://afltables.com/afl/stats/alltime/misc_players.html "Joel Selwood Record"], AFL Tables. Retrieved 27 April 2009</ref> In addition, Selwood's 50th appearance coincided with the club's own record-setting effort for the most successful 50-game stretch in VFL/AFL history. Geelong had won 47 out of 50&nbsp;games—Selwood had been involved in 46—eclipsing [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon's]] return of 46&nbsp;wins and 4&nbsp;losses during their dominant stretch from the 1999–2001 seasons.<ref>Sheahan, M, [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25396266-19742,00.html "Greatest Geelong team of all"], ''The Herald Sun'', 28 April 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2009</ref>
 
During the roundRound seventeen17 Grand Final rematch against Hawthorn, Selwood achieved career highs of 42&nbsp;disposals, 10&nbsp;marks, and 11&nbsp;tackles.<ref name="stats">[http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-geelong-cats--joel-selwood "Joel Selwood statistics"], footywire.com. Retrieved 4 August 2009</ref> Geelong midfielder [[Cameron Ling]] described Selwood's performance as: "Absolutely amazing... He just single-handedly lifted the whole group with his intensity around the ball. It's surprising that he's only in his third year. He's something pretty special".<ref>Zander, J, [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/25/2636317.htm?site=local "Cats claw over top of Hawks"], ''ABC'', 25 July 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009</ref> Selwood helped Geelong compile an 18–4 win–loss record during the season to become the first team in league history to produce three consecutive home and away campaigns with 18 or more wins.<ref>Pace, R, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120223233957/http://www.geelongcats.com.au/geelongnews/newsarticle/tabid/3933/newsid/83622/default.aspx "Cats on Song"], Australian Football League & Bigpond, 27 August 2009. Archived from the [http://www.geelongcats.com.au/geelongnews/newsarticle/tabid/3933/newsid/83622/default.aspx original] on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2009.</ref> Geelong qualified for the [[2009 AFL Finals Series|finals series]] in second position on the ladder, before reaching the preliminary final for the third consecutive season. Selwood matched a career-high in finals games with 29&nbsp;disposals and 9&nbsp;marks during the Cats 73-point win over Collingwood, leading the club to their third successive Grand Final appearance.<ref>Rucci, M, [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/cats-blitz-pies-by-73-points/story-e6frf9jf-1225777029871 "Cats blitz Pies by 73 points"], ''The Herald Sun'', 19 September 2009. [https://www.webcitation.org/6EcRl2K7Y?url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/cats-blitz-pies-by-73-points/story-e6frf9jf-1225777029871 Archived] from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2009.</ref> During the [[2009 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]] against [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]], Selwood addressed the playing group with a "stirring speech"<ref>[http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/grand-day-for-bendigos-joel/1634329.aspx?storypage=0 "Grand day for Bendigo's Joel"], ''The Bendigo Advertiser'', 28 September 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009</ref> as Geelong entered the half–time break trailing by 6&nbsp;points. Teammate [[Andrew Mackie]] lauded Selwood as "a born leader"<ref name="speech">Silkstone, D, "Cats who got the dream", ''The Age'', 28 September 2009.</ref> and credited the team's second half turnaround to Selwood's reminder to "go back to basics and focus upon tackling".<ref name = "speech" /> Selwood finished the game with 24&nbsp;disposals—including a team-high 12&nbsp;contested possessions and equal game-high 16&nbsp;handpasses—4&nbsp;marks, 6&nbsp;clearances, a team-high 10&nbsp;first possessions, 3&nbsp;tackles, and 1&nbsp;goal to help the Cats record a 12-point win and secure their second premiership in three seasons.<ref>Davis, G, [http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26133671-5016212,00.html "Winning words: 'Don't panic' says Geelong coach Mark Thompson"], ''The Herald Sun'', 27 September 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2009</ref>
 
Selwood's standout year was recognised by his peers when he became the youngest-ever winner of the AFLPA Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award, and placed fifth for the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFLPA Most Valuable Player.<ref>Tullberg, J, [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,26041094-19742,00.html "Gary Ablett wins third Most Valuable Player of the Year for the AFLPA Awards"], ''The Herald Sun'', 7 September 2009. Retrieved 7 September 2009</ref><ref>Stokes, B, [https://web.archive.org/web/20110706101737/http://aflpa.com.au/node/760 "AFLPA announces nominations for the 2009 MVP Awards"], Australian Football League Players Association, 4 September 2009. Archived from the [http://aflpa.com.au/node/760 original] on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2009.</ref> Selwood also finished sixth in the [[2009 Brownlow Medal|Brownlow Medal]], polling 16&nbsp;votes to finish second at Geelong behind eventual winner [[Gary Ablett, Jr.|Gary Ablett]].<ref>3AW Football, [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-brownlow-medal-count-club-by-club/story-fn422eni-1225777929153 "2009 AFL Brownlow medal count club-by-club"], 22 September 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009</ref> He became the first footballer to win the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year Award, adding to his season's list of accolades.<ref name = "bendigo"/> After averaging 28&nbsp;disposals and 5&nbsp;tackles per game over the course of the season, Selwood was also awarded with [[2009 All-Australian team|All-Australian]] honours for the first time in his career and had a second successive top five placing for the Carji Greeves Medal.<ref>Auciello, M, [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/09/15/104041_gfc.html "Five Geelong Cats selected in All-Australian team"], ''The Geelong Advertiser'', 15 September 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2009</ref><ref>Cullen, M, [https://web.archive.org/web/20091004034245/http://www.gfc.com.au/geelongnews/newsarticle/tabid/3933/newsid/85606/default.aspx "Ablett, Enright tie for B&F"], Geelong Football Club & Bigpond Network, 1 October 2009. Archived from the [http://www.gfc.com.au/geelongnews/newsarticle/tabid/3933/newsid/85606/default.aspx original] on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.</ref> Selwood finished the year ranked fourth in the league for total disposals (691), third for total handpasses (389), second for contested possessions (236) and eighth for hard-ball gets.<ref>3AW Football, [http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-football-blog/all-australian-team-2009-official/20090914-fnw2.html "All Australian 2009 Official"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923074841/http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-football-blog/all-australian-team-2009-official/20090914-fnw2.html |date=23 September 2009 }}, 14 September 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2009</ref> For the second successive season, he also led the league for total free kicks earned (59) and finished the year ranked within the top five at Geelong in several major statistical categories.<ref name="stats"/>
 
Prior to the [[2010 AFL season]], Selwood was retained as the youngest member of the club's revamped leadership group. Despite being unable to defend their NAB Cup title over the pre-season, Geelong re-signed Selwood to a new two-year contract with the club.<ref>Green, B, [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/05/14/173261_gfc.html "Geelong Cats turn focus on holding Gary Ablett after Joel Selwood re-signs "], ''The Geelong Advertiser'', 14 May 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010</ref> Selwood highlighted his desire to "give a little bit back (to Geelong) by working hard and working through the next era of Geelong football".<ref>Gullan, S, [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/joel-selwood-turns-back-on-gold-coast-says-he-owes-cats/story-e6frf9jf-1225869375881 "Joel Selwood turns back on Gold Coast, says he owes Cats"], ''The Herald Sun'', 21 May 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010</ref> During the home and away campaign, Selwood set various personal milestones: in a roundRound six6 fixture against Richmond, Selwood made a career-high 29&nbsp;handpasses—also the third-highest recorded in AFL history<ref>[http://afltables.com/afl/stats/teams/allteams/playershi.html "AFL Most Handballs In A Game statistics"], AFL Tables. Retrieved 10 October 2010</ref>—while in a roundRound nineteen19 match against Collingwood he gathered a career-high 20&nbsp;contested possessions.<ref name = "prostats">[http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players.html "AFL Tables – Player Records: Season and Game Highs"], AFL Tables. Retrieved 22 September 2009</ref> In total, Selwood made 24&nbsp;appearances during the season to help the club achieve a 17–5 record and qualify for the finals series in second position on the ladder. Geelong faced a [[2009 AFL Grand Final|2009 Grand Final]] rematch against St Kilda during the first week of the finals series, and they were defeated in a qualifying final for the first time in four years. Selwood was restricted to just four disposals in the first half of the qualifying final loss, his lowest return in a half of football since his debut match in 2007.<ref>Auciello, M, [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/09/09/208561_gfc.html "Geelong star Jimmy Bartel backs teammate Joel Selwood to respond to criticism against Fremantle"], ''The Geelong Advertiser'', 9 September 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010</ref> The following week, he responded with a 33-disposal semi-final performance to help Geelong defeat Fremantle and progress to the preliminary final.<ref>Phelan, Jason, [https://web.archive.org/web/20100912153556/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/102412/default.aspx "Cats bear their claws"], Australian Football League & Bigpond, 10 September 2010. Archived from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20100912153556/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/102412/default.aspx original] on 12 September 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2018</ref> However, Geelong's defeat to Collingwood subsequently denied them a chance at a second consecutive [[2010 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]] win.<ref>Williamson, Andrea; Crawford, Adrian. [http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/20/3016379.htm "AFL Wrap – Preliminary Finals"], ''ABC'', 20 September 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2018</ref>
 
Despite the club's lack of any trophies for the first time in four years, Selwood's individual season was recognised and rewarded on various fronts. He was once again nominated by his peers for both the AFLPA Most Valuable Player Award and the AFLPA Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award, placing fifth and second overall respectively.<ref>Williams, R, [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dane-swan-pockets-mvp-awad/story-e6frf9jf-1225915020976 "Dane Swan pockets MVP award"], ''The Herald Sun'', 6 September 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010</ref> During the [[2010 Brownlow Medal]] count, Selwood polled 21&nbsp;votes to place fourth overall and second at Geelong behind [[Gary Ablett, Jr.]] (26&nbsp;votes).<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/brownlow-votes-club-by-club-20100921-15k5n.html "Brownlow Votes Club by Club"], ''The Age'', 21 September 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010</ref> Selwood was selected in the [[2010 All-Australian team|All-Australian]] team for the second successive year, and also placed third in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year Award.<ref>Thompson, T, [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20100921210742691 "2010 Channel 7 AFL Coaches Association Awards"], World Football News, 21 September 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010</ref> He also won his first [[Carji Greeves Medal]], awarded for being the Geelong Football Club's [[best and fairest]] player during the 2010 season.<ref>Gullan, S, [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/joel-selwood-pips-gary-ablett-to-win-his-first-cargi-greeves-medal-for-geelongs-best-and-fairest-player/story-e6frf9jf-1225932576893 "Joel Selwood pips Gary Ablett to win his first Carji Greeves Medal for Geelong's best-and-fairest player"], ''The Herald Sun'', 1 October 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010</ref> Selwood finished the season ranked eighth in the league for total disposals (677), third for total handpasses (388)—also the 10th most in AFL history—second for total free kicks earned (53), and seventh for total inside-50s (110).<ref name="stats"/> Selwood highlighted his consistency by gathering over 20 disposals in 21 of 24 games—11 of which were games with 30 or more disposals—and compiling a six-game streak during which he gathered over 30 possessions from Round 13 to Round 18.<ref name = "stats"/>
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[[File:Joel Selwood 2011 Premiership Parade 1.JPG|thumb|Selwood at Geelong's 2011 premiership parade|alt=Selwood wearing sunglasses and premiership medal, standing in front of another member of the team]]
 
After serving for two years in the club's leadership group, Selwood was promoted to the vice-captaincy position for the [[2011 AFL season]]. During the roundRound eight8 match against Collingwood, Selwood made his 100th appearance for the club. He became the fifth-quickest player in VFL/AFL history to play 100 games, reaching the milestone four years and forty-two days after making his debut.<ref name = "harley"/><ref name="hundred">Auciello, M, [http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/05/13/257751_gfc.html "JOEL SELWOOD: A Ton of Talent"], ''The Geelong Advertiser'', 13 May 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2013</ref> Selwood's consistency was highlighted by his ability to play in 100 of a possible 106 games since entering the league.<ref name="hundred"/> His record of 85 wins, together with his numerous awards and achievements, led to [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] captain [[Luke Hodge]] proclaiming the milestone as "probably the most highly credentialed 100 games anyone has ever played".<ref name = "harley"/>
 
Following the roundRound twelve12 match against Hawthorn, Selwood was reported for a striking offense against [[Brent Guerra]] and subsequently suspended for four matches. It was the first time Selwood had been reported and suspended during his career.<ref>AAP, [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/14/3243769.htm?site=sport&section=all "Selwood cops four-week ban"], ''ABC Grandstand'', 14 June 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2013</ref> Selwood continued to set various milestones throughout the season; he collected a career-high 43&nbsp;disposals against Melbourne in roundRound nineteen19,<ref>{{Cite web|last=McNicol|first=Adam|date=2015-06-15|title=5 Great Games: Cats v Demons|url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/456224/5-great-games-cats-v-demons|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.geelongcats.com.au}}</ref> kicked a career-best 3 goals&nbsp;against Gold Coast in roundRound twenty20, and equalled a career-best 11&nbsp;tackles in both roundRound nineteen19 against Melbourne and roundRound twenty-four24 against Collingwood.
 
Selwood and Geelong finished the season with a 19–3 win–loss record to qualify for the finals series in second position on the ladder.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Barnstable|first=Josh|date=2019-12-03|title=The decade that was: Geelong Cats|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/12/04/the-decade-that-was-geelong-cats/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=The Roar|language=en-US}}</ref> Following consecutive wins against Hawthorn in the Qualifying Final and West Coast in the Preliminary Final, Geelong progressed through to the Grand Final against Collingwood. Selwood's performance in the final—during which he gathered a team-high 28&nbsp;disposals, laid 7&nbsp;tackles, and kicked 2&nbsp;goals—were recognised as he placed runner-up in [[Norm Smith Medal]] voting for the adjudicated best afield player. Geelong defeated Collingwood to record a 38-point victory and earn Selwood his third premiership medallion in five seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Paton|first=Al|date=2011-10-01|title=Cats win Grand Final|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/qld/geelong-wins-2011-afl-grand-final-ng-483a515184c06a735cabc84c8f69f3cb|access-date=2020-11-14|website=PerthNow|language=en}}</ref> Selwood was recognised with various nominations at the end of the season: he was named to the preliminary All-Australian squad, and he was once again nominated by his peers for both the AFLPA Most Valuable Player Award and the AFLPA Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award. He collected at least 20&nbsp;disposals in 18 of his 20 games for the season and ranked equal first for inside-50s (114) at the club.
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Selwood played his 300th game in Round 5 against Gold Coast, becoming the fifth Geelong player to reach that milestone.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Slevison |first1=Andrew |title=The fascinating numbers behind Selwood's milestone |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/07/03/the-fascinating-numbers-behind-selwoods-milestone/ |website=SEN 1116 |access-date=25 January 2022 | date = 3 July 2020}}</ref> Geelong won the game to maintain Selwood's perfect record of winning all six of his milestone games for each of his successive 50 games.<ref name=maroon/><ref>{{cite web |last1=McGarry |first1=Andrew |title=Geelong beats Gold Coast by 37 in milestone game for Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett as Suns' Matt Rowell injured |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-04/geelong-wins-rowell-shoulder-injury-deals-big-blow-suns-season/12423088 |website=ABC |access-date=25 January 2022 | date = 4 July 2020}}</ref> Selwood missed successive games twice during the season, two games in the middle due to a hamstring injury and four games towards the end with a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Courtney |title=Geelong skipper Joel Selwood latest to fall to AFL's 2020 curse |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-skipper-joel-selwood-latest-to-fall-to-afls-2020-curse/news-story/d6b17c5c99f7767ee05a61b7aa01fe78 |website=The Australian |access-date=25 January 2022 | date = 17 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Selwood to miss Tigers clash |url=http://www.krockfootball.com.au/afl-news/selwood-miss-tigers-clash/ |website=KRock |publisher=Australian Associated Press |access-date=25 January 2022 | date = 10 September 2020}}</ref> Geelong finished fourth on the ladder with a 12–5 win–loss record. Although they lost their Qualifying Final to Port Adelaide, they won their Semi Final against Collingwood by 68 points and then ended their Preliminary Final losing streak with a win over the Brisbane Lions by 40 points to advance to their first Grand Final since 2011. Selwood kicked one of Geelong's just five goals in the loss to Port Adelaide.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McGowan |first1=Marc |title=Power surge into home prelim after domesticating stray Cats |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/512559/power-surge-into-home-prelim-after-domesticating-cats |website=AFL |access-date=23 January 2022 | date = 1 October 2021}}</ref> He wasn't among Geelong's best players in either of the finals wins.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Semi-final slaughter: Cats crush insipid Pies to reach prelim |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/516289/semi-final-slaughter-cats-crush-insipid-pies-to-reach-prelim |website=AFL |access-date=23 January 2022 | date = 10 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Fifth time lucky: Cats break prelim hoodoo, Lions' flag dream over |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/518953/fifth-time-lucky-cats-break-prelim-hoodoo-lions-flag-dream-over |website=AFL |access-date=23 January 2022 | date = 17 October 2020}}</ref> Geelong lost the [[2020 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]] to the reigning premiers Richmond by 31 points, after only trailing by two points at three-quarter time. Selwood had a better performance in the loss, gaining Geelong's second-highest total of 21 disposals and a team-high 6 clearances.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Yellow and black to back: Tigers stun Cats in epic Grand Final comeback |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/521172/yellow-and-black-to-back-tigers-stun-cats-in-epic-grand-final-comeback |website=AFL |access-date=23 January 2022 | date = 24 October 2020}}</ref>
 
Geelong were in contention for the minor premiership in the [[2021 AFL season]], which would go to the winner of their last home -and -away round against Melbourne. Despite 28 disposals and a goal from Selwood as well as building up a 44-point lead, they lost the game on a goal after the siren and finished third behind Melbourne and Port Adelaide.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=MATCH REPORT Gawn with the win: Dees steal minor premiership with final kick |url=https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3157#match-report |website=AFL |access-date=28 January 2022 | date = 21 August 2021}}</ref> Selwood only missed one game during season, not playing Round 17 due to rest and not an injury.<ref name=game-by-game/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Beveridge |first1=Riley |title=Teams: Cats lose stars, Superman axed, mid-season Tiger named |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/643645/afl-teams-afl-round-17 |website=AFL |access-date=28 January 2022 | date = 8 July 2021}}</ref> He had a season-high 39 disposals in Round 10 against Gold Coast.<ref name=game-by-game/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pittman |first1=Kane |title=Selwood silences critics with dominant display against Suns |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/selwood-silences-critics-with-dominant-display-against-suns/news-story/c82393b41b9525f520f6e59604978c6b |website=news.com.au |access-date=28 January 2022 | date = 22 May 2021}}</ref> For the second year in a row, Geelong lost their Qualifying Final against Port Adelaide,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Electrifying Power bully Cats in flag statement |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/671009/electrifying-power-shock-cats-in-big-flag-statement |website=AFL |access-date=23 January 2022 | date = 27 August 2021}}</ref> but still made it to the Preliminary Final stage with a convincing 35-point win over Greater Western Sydney. Selwood became Geelong's [[VFL/AFL games records|games record holder]] in the Semi Final, surpassing his former teammate [[Corey Enright]] with his 333rd game for the club.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schmook |first1=Nathan |title=Cats Claw Past Gutsy Giants To Book Prelim Berth |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/1013050/cats-claw-past-gutsy-giants-to-book-prelim-berth |website=Geelong Cats |access-date=23 January 2022 | date = 3 September 2021}}</ref> In their Preliminary Final, they lost a rematch against Melbourne in a lopsided manner by 83 points. Selwood nonetheless had a good performance with 24 disposals and 8 clearances.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schmook |first1=Nathan |title=Cats are Gawn: Demons storm into Grand Final after Max madness |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/675448/cats-are-gawn-demons-storm-into-grand-final-after-max-madness |website=AFL |access-date=23 January 2022 | date = 21 September 2021}}</ref> Selwood finished fourth in the voting for AFLPA Best Captain.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Laughton |first1=Max |title=AFL award shock as Brownlow favourite snubbed by players and runaway AFLPA MVP named |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2021-aflpa-mvp-award-votes-leaderboard-winners-leigh-matthews-trophy-best-captain-most-courageous/news-story/51fee19624ed23246308cccc76a4924f |website=Fox Sports |access-date=28 January 2022 | date = 2 September 2021}}</ref>
 
An extremely strong [[2022 AFL season]] saw Geelong win 16 games in a row, finish as both the minor premiers and the eventual 2022 premiers. Selwood was an integral part of the playing group, but as a senior player was rested periodically throughout the season and had managed game-time, which occasionally included starting the game on the bench.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Niall |first=Jake |date=2022-09-23 |title=Competitive beast and kinder, gentler Joel: the two sides of football's Mr September |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/competitive-beast-and-kinder-gentler-joel-the-two-sides-of-football-s-mr-september-20220919-p5bj90.html |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> As his 11th, and final, season as captain, Selwood remained crucial to the team's success and leadership, and he was awarded the [[Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award]] for his dedication and commitment to community engagement, Cat’s Community commitments, [[GMHBA Limited|GMHBA]] Health Heroes, AFL Barwon Access All-Abilities [[Auskick]] Clinics, NAB Auskick Ambassador and his role as ambassador for the [[Cotton On Group|Cotton On]] Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selwood Wins Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/1224419/selwood-wins-jim-stynes-community-leadership-award |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=geelongcats.com.au |language=en}}</ref> In roundRound 3, Selwood broke [[Stephen Kernahan]]'s record for the most games played as an AFL captain in a thrilling 13-point victory over Collingwood.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-02 |title=Cats claw back in Selwood's AFL milestone |url=https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/33650768/afl-round-3-geelong-cats-claw-back-collingwood-selwood-afl-milestone |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> After over a decade of constant heartbreak in finals, Selwood achieved his fourth premiership, and his first as captain. His grand final appearance marked his 40th final—[[List of VFL/AFL records#Most finals games|the most amount of finals]] played by any AFL player ever.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bourke |first=Adam |date=2022-09-23 |title=Selwood keeps his head over the ball and eyes on the prize |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/7916414/selwood-keeps-his-head-over-the-ball-and-eyes-on-the-prize/ |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Bendigo Advertiser |language=en-AU}}</ref> He remained highly effective in the 81-point demolition of the [[Sydney Swans]], recording 26 disposals (12 in the first quarter) and an emotional fourth-quarter goal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-24 |title=Retirement HINT? Emotional goal sparks Selwood speculation |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/geelong-cats/afl-grand-final-emotion-running-high-as-stunning-joel-selwood-goal-sparks-retirement-speculation--c-8344027 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=PerthNow |language=en}}</ref>
 
Selwood announced his retirement from AFL less than a week following the grand final victory. His choice to retire was kept secret from the majority of the playing group for the purpose of maintaining the group's focus on pursuing the premiership.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-09-28 |title=Geelong captain Joel Selwood retires from AFL after winning fourth flag |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/sep/28/geelong-captain-joel-selwood-retires-from-afl-after-winning-fourth-flag |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> He became the third consecutive Geelong captain to retire following a premiership.
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